Google Hits The Road

A fully integrated car infotainment system that allows the driver to call, receive directions, and listen to music, as well as several other features, the newest software from Google supports Android 5.0+.

Google has made it’s first official play in the auto game. The tech giant finally announced that Android Auto would become compatible in cars across the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.

After announcing Android Auto in June 2014, it’s about time it’s finally rolled out to Android drivers everywhere. A fully integrated car infotainment system that allows the driver to call, receive directions, and listen to music, as well as several other features, the newest software from Google supports Android 5.0+, and was built to appear more as a built-in car system, rather than Google’s traditional mobile device. Created to minimize the amount of glances away from the road, it reduces the amount of buttons to push, and is fully integrated to all the apps on the driver’s mobile device so as to feature Maps, Search, Play Music, voice, and it even supports apps outside of Google Play Music, like Pandora and Spotify.

According to Google, the first integrated units from the US will be Pioneer's  AVIC-8100NEX, AVIC-7100NEX, and AVH-4100NEX aftermarket systems, as well as the AVIC-F77DAB, AVIC-F70DAB, AVH-X8700BT models in the UK and in Australia, all drivers must be sporting Pioneer's AVIC-F70DAB and AVH-X8750BT systems.

Simply download the Android Auto app from the Google Play store, so as to get it up and running in your vehicle. Google has even added a free 90-day trial of Google Play Music.

Apple’s own in-cary system, CarPlay, finally has some serious competition. Although other major, luxury car manufacturers such as BMW have their own in-built system, the Android-connected operating system will likely severe as the most dominate car system in the next upcoming years, especially after Google unleashes its autonomous vehicles.